Antique Chokwe Chief's Throne Chair  African Carved Wood, Brass, Hide

Description

Authentic African Chokwe Chief's Chair
DIMENSIONS
Height: 29 inch
Length: 15inch
Depth: 16 inch
Chief's Chair from African Chokwe People of Central and South Africa.
DESCRIPTION
The seat of the chair appears to be leather; the center of the leather seat has a large circular depression. The four corners of the chair have elaborately designed metal (brass) cappings. The two front corners of the chair are resting on male and female figures in a kneeling position. The front bottom center of the chair has two sitting figures carrying a reclining or deceased figure on a long hammock-like carrier. The front feet of the chair are seen. The chair has figure finials. There is a bottom narrow lined slat with two figures with hands on each other shoulders. The wide upper slat is lined and has a female figure with arms raised upward, the hands are around a wooden piece. The brass tacks and brass metal detailing is seen. The sides of the chair have wide spaced brass detailing. The left center bottom of the chair has two seated figures with hands on their foreheads. There is a box or chest in the center. The back of the chair has two seated figures with hands and arms on the sides of the heads. The two back feet are seen. The right center bottom of the chair has two seated figures with their arms holding a box or chest. All of the brass details are seen on the specific areas of the chair. The bottom underside of the leather seat is very discolored; there are cracks and chips on the wood of the chair in various areas. I believe that the Chief's chair is of the African Chokwe people of Central Southern Africa. The value given is on the conservative side.
DATE
Circa 19-20th Century.
NOTES
The Chokwe are regionally famous for their exceptional crafts, particularly with baskets, pottery, mask carving, statues, stools, and other handcrafts. The traditional religious beliefs of the Chokwe center around ancestor spirit worship in groups where chiefs exist. To the Chokwe, chiefs possess many elaborately carved objects; your chair is considered a seat of office and the figures seen in the chair represent the chief's ancestors and represents the breadth of the leader's concern and responsibilities and also convey ritual events. Chokwe chairs are among the few African objects not carved from a single piece of wood, but are instead assembled in parts.
The chair will be carefully packed and shipped with tracking, insurance, and signature required.
Please contact me with any questions. I would love to send more photos if needed.